Response to launch of NHS Race & Health Observatory report ‘Inequalities in Mental Health Care for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities: Identifying Best Practice’

29 Sep 2023

BABCP welcomes the launch of the NHS Race & Health Observatory report ‘Inequalities in mental Health Care for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities: Identifying Best Practice’.

The findings in the report are concerning, in that these communities continue to be overlooked and neglected in the delivery of mental health care.

We support the policy recommendations in the report, such as:

• Long-term, meaningful investment in co-production in the planning, design and delivery of mental health services
• The establishment of appropriate data collection systems
• A comprehensive national strategy for mental health that considers the unique experiences of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

Along with the recommendations at policy level, we also welcome recommendations for practice, research, and celebration of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

We encourage BABCP members to engage with this report and use the recommendations to guide them in enhancing their practice when working with people from these communities, taking steps to promote inclusion and access to evidence-based CBT interventions. We are committed to sharing good practice in data collection and evaluation while ensuring that voices from underrepresented groups are heard.

BABCP is committed to ensuring that Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists and other members of the mental health workforce can take part in the continued development of mental health provision to all communities.

The NHS RHO report can be read here. 

The IAPT BAME Positive Practice Guide can be read here.